Searching for Summer - and Port Wine (1 Viewer)

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Robert Clark

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Don't know what it's been like where you are, but so far the summer in Sunny Sussex has been a non starter. Its been the wettest June since records began and there has been almost no sun to speak of.
The last few days have seen thunder storms and rain of almost biblical proportions, so we've decided to head south in search of Summer.

I've had a close eye on the weather forecast across Europe and have decide to head to Portugal, and in particular the Douro Valley in the north of the country.

The weather forecast is wall to wall sunshine, which is great, cos Mrs C doesn't 'do' rain.

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The Douro Valley runs across Portugal and ends in Porto. It's a one of Portugal's top wine producing regions. We're looking forward to a few tasting sessions along the way, in particular I'd like to find a decent bottle of Port for Christmas.



For the 'foodies' , we'll be looking out for the best culinary delights that Portugal has to offer. In particular the Black Pork, which we enjoyed so much on our trip to south of the country last March.

quinzena-pork-pieces.png


We're planing to stay at Aires, or wild camp and any suggestions for possible stops along the Douro valley would be appreciated!

Bye for now!
 
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R

Robert Clark

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I echo that, safe journeys, happy days, and dont run out of internet/picture coverage
Don't worry, I've still got one of @JJ's excellent 10 days unlimited internet sim cards - saved it from our last trip.
Just need to remember where I put it
 
Sep 4, 2014
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Better take some extra pennies, the pound has bombed on the market! Looks like my import is downsizing!

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Nov 3, 2013
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Hi. "Pinhao Douro river Portugal"
We went and stayed in a hotel for a couple of nights,near Pinhao on the river Douro. In Pinhao there are several places you could stay overnight,without charge,one being in a largish car park where river cruise boats ply their trade from,mini trips and trips down to Porto with or without,visits to Port wine wharehouses.In season,there are trains that do the trip on a regular basis.
If you are coming down river,with the river on your right,turn right,over the bridge into into Pinhao,crossing the river,from memory,turn left when over the bridge,jingle along there,past the car park and the river boat moorings it gets a bit narrow,and a road goes sharply to the left, UNDER a lowish bridge (Single decker coach went under it,BUT check height). This will bring you out with the river on your left,going down stream,there is a bar/restaurant there,with ample parking opposite to get your heads down.
If you are Pooter savvy,you can Google earth ? and check if i have got it right.
We came up to Peso da Regua,and drove up the south bank of the river,so if you do this..... Work it out....LOL!!
Enjoy the area,it is a very peacefull area,we will go again,this time in the m/home,as it is only a couple of hours from where we live.
Tea Bag
 

Puddleduck

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I can recommend the tour of Sandemans in Oporto - many others are available! There are plenty of shops on the quayside where you can buy bottles of good port at reasonable prices - just stay away from the obvious tourist traps. We bought at one of the shops in the warehouse area and at a supermarket. Because we were on a cruise it was put into store on the ship so we weren't able to sample and buy more of the types we liked until we got back to the UK.

The tram system is brilliant and cheap. You can use the self service machines at the stops / stations (there is an English language button). A day ticket is exceptional value. Just remember to validate your ticket before you board and when you change lines - again at a machine that "reads" your ticket.
 
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Mar 23, 2012
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No its Fonseca for me get a late bottled vintage but stand it for a few days and decant before drinking or if you like the style but not the price a crusted port (about £18 in the UK) . It depends what style of port you like very full bodied

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Jul 29, 2014
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Had one for 5 years many moons ago. Now starting again.
Whoops. Very nearly missed the beginning of this one. Noted the mention on Scout's thread.
Have a good journey. I do love a good port with a nice bit of stilton at Christmas.
Must investigate what else can be done with it - apart from sipping and sipping once again.
 
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Robert Clark

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Hi. "Pinhao Douro river Portugal"
We went and stayed in a hotel for a couple of nights,near Pinhao on the river Douro. In Pinhao there are several places you could stay overnight,without charge,one being in a largish car park where river cruise boats ply their trade from,mini trips and trips down to Porto with or without,visits to Port wine wharehouses.In season,there are trains that do the trip on a regular basis.
If you are coming down river,with the river on your right,turn right,over the bridge into into Pinhao,crossing the river,from memory,turn left when over the bridge,jingle along there,past the car park and the river boat moorings it gets a bit narrow,and a road goes sharply to the left, UNDER a lowish bridge (Single decker coach went under it,BUT check height). This will bring you out with the river on your left,going down stream,there is a bar/restaurant there,with ample parking opposite to get your heads down.
If you are Pooter savvy,you can Google earth ? and check if i have got it right.
We came up to Peso da Regua,and drove up the south bank of the river,so if you do this..... Work it out....LOL!!
Enjoy the area,it is a very peacefull area,we will go again,this time in the m/home,as it is only a couple of hours from where we live.
Tea Bag
Thanks for tip, I've added it to our route! Will post some pics when we get there
 
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Robert Clark

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Made it through the tunnel without incident, except for Mrs C being drawn to the Duty Free Shop (which isn't Duty Free).

Managed to escape with most of my money intact - I've developed a number of clever purchase avoidance strategies over the years and today's one worked a treat - well almost.

Have arrived at our first overnight stop in Mesnieres en Bray, (Campercontact 14047) a lovely free Aire backing onto open fields.

Having a modest supper en-van, a lovely Wild Boar ragu we picked up on our last trip to Tuscany

image.jpeg


Washed down with a nice bottle of red wine that we purchased up from a winery in Bordeaux that we stayed at.

image.jpeg


The sun is shining so Mrs C has got a smile on her face - so all is good in the world.

An early start tomorrow as we continue our journey south.

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DBK

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Jan 9, 2013
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There's a train which runs up the Douro Valley. We planned to do a bit of it last year before bad weather deflected us into Spain. :) There was a TV programme which featured it and apparently it gives the best views of the valley.
 
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Robert Clark

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There's a train which runs up the Douro Valley. We planned to do a bit of it last year before bad weather deflected us into Spain. :) There was a TV programme which featured it and apparently it gives the best views of the valley.
We're planning to catch the train from Peso da Regua to Porto - I'm not keen on crowds and thought catching the train into Poto for the day would be better than staying there.
There is a Steam tourist train as I understand, or a cheaper scheduled service on the same line. Will post pics and details when we get there.
Very much enjoying your trip - thank you !

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Feb 14, 2014
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Enjoy your trip Port warehouses sound good
Look forward to following your post as usual
Nice to see both of you with big smiles on your faces
Enjoy enjoy enjoy

Gary and Janet
 

Jamwitt

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Jun 18, 2012
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We both love reading your adventures so informative! You two are almost full timing now the van has hardly had chance to cool down from the Scotland adventure

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Sep 10, 2012
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Places to stay on the way - Burgos asci campsite easy walk to town not inspired by the site though - Palencia good aire and nice town - Zamora unofficial overnight when we were there but good for a look around and plenty of eating choices. - Braganca aire up behind the castle very nice maybe a bit out of your way.
Would not bother with the aire at Castelo de Paiva or the asci camp for porto. If you can get in there's a great aire with other facilities in the reception building think it was €10 night at a nature park at Avintes with good bus into porto.
North portugal is very nice and well worth a visit and has plenty of places to stay and you must try to visit a town on market day the markets are vast.
 
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Robert Clark

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Places to stay on the way - Burgos asci campsite easy walk to town not inspired by the site though - Palencia good aire and nice town - Zamora unofficial overnight when we were there but good for a look around and plenty of eating choices. - Braganca aire up behind the castle very nice maybe a bit out of your way.
Would not bother with the aire at Castelo de Paiva or the asci camp for porto. If you can get in there's a great aire with other facilities in the reception building think it was €10 night at a nature park at Avintes with good bus into porto.
North portugal is very nice and well worth a visit and has plenty of places to stay and you must try to visit a town on market day the markets are vast.
Thanks very much
Have added Zamora and Braganca to our route! Will post pics when we get there
 
Nov 3, 2013
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Hi. "Cota Maxima" Restaurant. Santa Comba Dao.
If you are coming down the IP3/E801,when getting to Santa Comba dao,there is a very nice riverside restaurant on the banks of the River Dao,super view from the terrace or inside,we were there yesterday.
There is a huge parking area opposite,and they do a lunch time meal.choice of three mains,for 8Euros.Evenings are more expensive. Google earth it...Whatever? LOL.Give us a shout if you are this way. BE WARNED! "Dog fur is a condiment in our house is fact....not fiction"
Tea Bag
Edit. The river was right up to the terrace yesterday,in the 7years here,we have not seen it as dry as in one webs pages/photo's

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R

Robert Clark

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Hi. "Cota Maxima" Restaurant. Santa Comba Dao.
If you are coming down the IP3/E801,when getting to Santa Comba dao,there is a very nice riverside restaurant on the banks of the River Dao,super view from the terrace or inside,we were there yesterday.
There is a huge parking area opposite,and they do a lunch time meal.choice of three mains,for 8Euros.Evenings are more expensive. Google earth it...Whatever? LOL.Give us a shout if you are this way. BE WARNED! "Dog fur is a condiment in our house is fact....not fiction"
Tea Bag
Edit. The river was right up to the terrace yesterday,in the 7years here,we have not seen it as dry as in one webs pages/photo's
Thanks for that @Tea Bag - have looked on Google Maps and it's a bit South for this trip - we've only got 21 days, and are restricted to the Douro Valley. Very much appreciate your kind offer - maybe on our Autumn trip, which will be to the south?
Been looking online and may stop at Ponferrada en route to Lindodo - have you been there?
 
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Robert Clark

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After a long day's driving we've arrived at
image.png


A nice free aire north of Bordeaux
Not the place we'd planned to stay
However our original stop was hosting a music festival and the warm up music was loud enough to wake the dead - so we moved on

Sat in the sunshine - sipping a cold glass of home made beer, looking forward to some barbecue ribs for dinner.

image.jpeg


Tomorrow is another long drive into Spain, but not before we've had a proper Sunday breakfast of bacon and eggs (from our own chickens)

Looking forward to finally reaching Potigal and taking things s bit slower.

The journey continues !

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